Latest news with #FinTechSummit
Khaleej Times
3 days ago
- Business
- Khaleej Times
Dubai to allow residents, businesses to pay government fees using cryptocurrency
Dubai is preparing to use and enable crypto payments for government services, after an agreement was signed between Dubai Finance and a world-renowned cryptocurrency trading platform. This paves the way for the government to use financial technology to provide a new digital payment channel on Dubai's digital portals, enabling payment for government services using stable cryptocurrencies in a safe and innovative manner. The MoU was signed on the sidelines of the Dubai Finance and participation in the Dubai FinTech Summit, which kicked off on Monday at the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC). The summit marks a pivotal step in driving Dubai's digital financial landscape towards the future. Once the necessary technical arrangements for activating the agreement are completed, customers of various government entities, both individuals and institutions, are expected to be able to pay government service fees using digital wallets on the platform, which will transfer these fees to Dubai Finance accounts in Emirati dirhams, within a secure and innovative pay. The memorandum aims to support the implementation of Dubai's cashless strategy and the transition to a cashless digital society.
Zawya
16-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
HODL 2025 wraps up landmark Dubai edition, announces 31st global edition in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Dubai, UAE – HODL 2025 concluded its highly anticipated Dubai edition today at Madinat Jumeirah, bringing together a powerful mix of blockchain pioneers, Web3 innovators, DeFi leaders, regulators, and institutional investors from across the globe. The summit, held in alignment with the Dubai FinTech Summit as part of the broader effort to shape the future of finance in the region, reinforced HODL's position as a leading platform for collaboration and innovation in the decentralized economy. This edition marked a major milestone in the HODL journey—its 30th global edition and the first to take place following the brand's transition from the World Blockchain Summit to HODL, now focused on deeper engagement, broader ecosystem alignment, and global market relevance. Exploring the Future of Decentralized Finance and Web3 in the MENA Region Over two days, the summit featured 50+ sessions that explored next-generation themes like: Blockchain Market Trends 2025 Innovative Governance for Virtual Assets AI x Blockchain: Converging Technologies DeFi Evolution and Banking Disruption Tokenization of Real-World Assets NFTs and the Metaverse Frontier Attendees included key decision-makers from governments, blockchain networks, crypto exchanges, venture funds, and DAOs, along with founders, CTOs, developers, and asset managers. 'HODL 2025 in Dubai brought together a powerful mix of visionaries shaping the future of digital finance. As we head to Riyadh, we aim to build on this momentum and further accelerate Web3 and blockchain innovation across the region.' - Mohammed Saleem, Founder & Chairman of Trescon, the organisers of HODL. During the Crypto Rulebook: Global Best Practices & Regulatory Measures panel discussion, Dyma Budorin expressed that 'We want to have the best ecosystem for entrepreneurs to run their business.' In the same session, Samir Safar-Aly emphasized that 'Regulations need to catch up and work together.' During the Insuring the Future of Crypto: Bridging Risk & Innovation in the Digital Asset Economy session, Joseph Ziolkowski stated that 'Insurance has been a bedrock component of sustainability; it is a $6 trillion market.' HODL 2025 also hosted high-level networking sessions and investor roundtables, providing a fertile ground for deal-making and strategic partnerships. The event was supported by an impressive roster of sponsors and featured in leading media publications HODL 2025 is proudly supported by leading media outlets, including CNN Business Arabic as the Official Media Partner, Khaleej Times as the Exclusive Media Partner, Entrepreneur Middle East as the Ecosystem Partner, Arabian Business as the Business Media Partner, and ZEX PR Wire as the Digital PR Partner — collectively amplifying its global reach.. HODL 2025 is powered by a strong lineup of sponsors, with Liquid as the Platinum Sponsor, Coinvoyage as the After Party Sponsor, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) and Gofaizen & Sherle as Gold Sponsors, Facephi as the Silver Sponsor, and Skygate Network, FMCPay, Pays Solutions, and PEP as Bronze Sponsors. These valued partners have played a pivotal role in shaping the event's success, helping transform HODL 2025 into a landmark gathering for the global Web3 community. Announcing HODL Riyadh – December 2025 Building on the momentum of its Dubai edition and the recent announcement of its inclusion in the forthcoming Dubai Future Finance Week, HODL now sets its sights on Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, for its 31st global edition, taking place in December 2025. As Saudi Arabia rapidly emerges as a global tech and finance hub, driven by bold initiatives under Vision 2030, the country is making significant strides in the digital asset and blockchain space. With regulatory clarity evolving and institutional interest accelerating, Riyadh presents a strategic next stop for the HODL platform. HODL Riyadh will serve as the most important gathering of Web3 leaders, investors, policy-makers, and innovators in the Kingdom - connecting the region's ambitions with global blockchain ecosystems. This upcoming edition is expected to focus on: Regulatory frameworks supporting virtual assets and tokenization Institutional DeFi and digital asset adoption Public-private collaboration on blockchain infrastructure Web3 innovation in financial services, real estate, and logistics With a rapidly growing crypto user base, sovereign investment interest in digital innovation, and a rising number of blockchain startups, Saudi Arabia is poised to become a key player in the future of decentralized finance. HODL Riyadh will provide a platform to accelerate this trajectory. About HODL HODL, born from the legacy of the iconic World Blockchain Summit (WBS) and organised by Trescon, is the world's longest running blockchain event series with 29 global editions across cities like Dubai, Singapore, and Bangkok. Since 2017, HODL has served as a platform for blockchain deal-making, innovation, and connecting disruptive projects with investors, enterprises, and governments.
Arabian Business
13-05-2025
- Business
- Arabian Business
Dubai International Financial Centre looks to train 1m people in sustainable finance
Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) has launched the '1 Million Learners' initiative as part of the DIFC Sustainable Finance Catalyst. The new initiative aims to equip one million individuals with knowledge in sustainability and sustainable finance by 2030. The announcement was made during the Dubai FinTech Summit, hosted by DIFC at Madinat Jumeirah. The initiative reflects DIFC's commitment to shaping a financial ecosystem that supports environmental and social responsibility. Dubai FinTech Summit DIFC sustainability pledge As economies increasingly integrate sustainability into their growth models, enhancing understanding of sustainable finance is essential to building inclusive, resilient and future-ready societies. Arif Amiri, Chief Executive Officer of DIFC Authority, said: 'DIFC is proud to be leading the way in advancing sustainability in the region. The '1 Million Learners' initiative is a testament to our belief that real impact begins with education. 'By working closely with our valued partners, we are making sustainability knowledge more accessible and ensuring the region remains at the forefront of global sustainable transformation.' The initiative is backed by a coalition of 28 founding partners, comprising leading organisations from across sectors that share a commitment to advancing sustainability knowledge. These include: AICPA & CIMA C3 Candriam Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership Clean Energy Business Council CFA Institute DesignThinkers Group Dubai Business Associates Edinburgh Business School – Heriot-Watt University Emirates NBD Expo City Dubai GIST Impact Global Capacity Building Coalition Global Climate Finance Centre Global Ethical Finance Initiative Global Shapers Dubai Hub Institute of Management Accountants International Finance Corporation London Stock Exchange Group Mastercard Oxford & Cambridge Society of the UAE Principles for Responsible Investment S&P Global Stashaway United Nations Development Programme World Green Economy Organisation Visa In collaboration with its partners, DIFC aims to redefine how sustainability education is delivered at scale, equipping a new generation of professionals with the knowledge to drive meaningful change. To ensure the programme delivers measurable outcomes, DIFC has appointed GIST Impact as its impact partner. GIST's science-based methodologies are aligned with leading global frameworks, including the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), and the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD). The partnership will support DIFC in evaluating the initiative's impact and communicating its progress effectively. GIST Impact's expertise in translating social outcomes such as improved access to education, equity and livelihoods into measurable insights will help ensure the 1 Million Learners initiative achieves scale while delivering meaningful benefits for communities, particularly in underserved regions.
Arabian Business
13-05-2025
- Business
- Arabian Business
Dubai's DFSA tokenisation sandbox receives 96 applications from financial firms
The Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) has reported that 96 firms have expressed interest in its Tokenisation Regulatory Sandbox, marking a step forward in the regulator's strategy to support financial innovation within the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC). The sandbox, part of the DFSA's Innovation Testing Licence programme, aims to enhance innovation while maintaining market integrity and protecting investors. Interest came from various sectors exploring tokenisation of financial assets, including shares, bonds, Islamic bonds (sukuk), fund units, and related trading and custody services. DFSA sandbox attracts strong interest Both established financial institutions and startups seeking to develop digital asset solutions in a regulated environment showed interest in the initiative, highlighting DIFC's position as a destination for digital finance and innovation. Justin Baldacchino, Managing Director, Supervision, DFSA, said: 'We are excited to see such strong interest in the DFSA's Tokenisation Regulatory Sandbox and to talk about it at the Dubai FinTech Summit. This momentum supports the DFSA's strategic commitment – and aligns with the Dubai Economic Agenda D33 goal – to position Dubai among the world's top four global financial hubs by 2033. 'The sandbox marks a new chapter in our engagement with innovative financial technologies, enabling firms to safely test tokenised solutions in a transparent, measured, and responsible manner, within a well-regulated environment, without being subject to the full suite of regulatory requirements that would otherwise apply.' The sandbox allows for targeted supervision, regulatory dialogue, and development of policy responses to emerging financial technologies. It supports ambitions across DIFC, Dubai, and the United Arab Emirates to become a hub for digital assets, fintech, and next-generation financial services. Following the expressions of interest stage, selected firms will be invited to apply for an Innovation Testing Licence for live testing under DFSA oversight. During this phase, they can refine their offerings while addressing investor protection, transparency, and financial stability concerns. Upon completion, firms may apply for a full licence or withdraw from the programme.
